Two power conference teams will get their first look at FBS opposition in Week 2 as the Illinois Fighting Illini visit the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While both teams put up big numbers in Week 1, I’m expecting more out of the Illini, which is why I’ll be picking them in my Illinois vs. Duke predictions below.
Read on for a full breakdown of this matchup in my free college football picks for Saturday, September 6.
Illinois vs Duke prediction
Illinois vs Duke best bet: Illinois moneyline (-152 at FanDuel)
If you just take a quick glance at the Week 1 results, you might think this is matchup between two elite programs. But all we should really take out of those games is that these teams are good enough to handle overmatched FCS schools.
And looking at the two performances, I have concerns over how the Blue Devils will fare against better competition.
Duke quarterback Darian Mensah went 27-for-34 with 389 yards and three touchdowns against Elon. But Illinois is a huge step up in competition for the former Tulane quarterback, who only threw for 220+ yards four times in 13 games last year.
Mensah is just a sophomore, and will need to grow into regularly competing against power conference opponents.
Duke’s defense didn’t look amazing against Elon, allowing the FCS squad to score 17 points while grinding the ball for 163 yards rushing.
Illinois should find plenty of success on the ground, as Kaden Feagin, Aidan Laughery, and Ca’Lil Valentine can all move the ball.
With Illinois having a clear path to offensive success and lots of questions after Duke’s relative struggles against Elon, I’m taking the Illini to win this one outright on the road.
Illinois vs Duke same-game parlay
I like Illinois to win a close game in this one, so taking the Illini on the moneyline is another strong pick for our SGP.
Illinois should find success on the ground – Aidan Laughery has the more generously low yardage total – while I don’t see Mensah putting up the same kind of numbers he did against Elon against a much tougher Illinois defense.
Illinois vs Duke same-game parlay
- Illinois moneyline
- Aidan Laughery Over 50.5 Rushing Yards
- Darian Mensah Under 253.5 Passing Yards
- Darian Mensah Under 1.5 TD Passes (-106)
Our deep-ball SGP: Fight Through the Run Game
I think Illinois will find success throughout the running game, and Kaden Feagin is nearly as good a bet to hit his yardage Over as Laughery.
On the other hand, the Duke secondary looks like it may be just as good as it has in recent years, so Luke Altmyer may not be able to move the ball through the air.
Illinois vs Duke same-game parlay
- Illinois moneyline
- Aidan Laughery Over 50.5 Rushing Yards
- Kaden Feagin Over 59.5 Rushing Yards
- Luke Altmyer Under 224.5 Passing Yards
- Darian Mensah Under 253.5 Passing Yards
- Darian Mensah Under 1.5 TD Passes (-106)
Illinois vs Duke odds
- Spread: Illinois -3.5 (+100) | Duke +3.5 (-122)
- Moneyline: Illinois -152 | Duke +126
- Over/Under: Over 49.5 (-110) | Under 49.5 (-110)
Illinois vs Duke trend to know
Illinois is 9-3 on the moneyline in its last 12 games overall. Find more college football betting trends for Illinois vs Duke.
How to watch Illinois vs Duke
| Location | Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Date | Saturday, September 6, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 12:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
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